The murder mystery takes place in 1990 in the peaceful western Pennsylvania community of Solitude. Members of the Amish community have received anonymous threats, their barns have been burned down, and their horse drawn buggies have been attacked and driven off the highway. The situation deteriorates even more when a young Amish schoolteacher is found stabbed to death in her classroom. Dana Blades, a thirty nine year old Florida history professor and sleuth, is home to care for her ailing mother. She reconnects with some of her childhood friends, including some members of the Amish community who all work together to see the murder solved. The investigation leads Dana through many twists, turns and run ins with hate groups, land developers, suspicious neighbors and the police. Many fear that dark and sinister forces are at work in this bucolic community. Dana, who has her own secrets and share of painful losses, takes the reader through many exciting and heartstopping events that lead to a surprising conclusion that leaves her and Solitude reeling. (first of a three part series)